CARE — Collaborative Association for Reintegration and Education — held their first winter meeting Jan. 31. CARE is an organization on campus interested in advocating for people who have been or are incarcerated and addressing issues of mass incarceration and existing justice systems.

CARE’s mission is to “synthesize community-based research as well as help the formerly incarcerated community advocate for policy reform … [They] are committed to supporting community transformation by working to address all forms of discrimination against those who have been incarcerated or detained.”

This first meeting was used to set the foundation for 2018. The club’s officers discussed their goals and planned out potential winter quarter activities and outreach. CARE has three components that they want to focus on in 2018: policies regarding incarceration, connecting formerly incarcerated people with resources, and making connections with peers and other organizations on campus. Their next meeting will be held Feb. 28 in GWP 320 at 12:30 p.m.

Emily Clouse, CARE’s club president, shares her visions for what members can get out of CARE.

“We want to make potential members aware of these three components and then people can choose which group they fall under,” Clouse said. “Each group will have a small committee with a leader, allowing for more opportunity for leadership within the club.”

Current goals of CARE are to begin fundraisers and discussions about Bangally Fatty, a UW student who is currently held at Northwest Detention Center. CARE hopes to organize a pen pal writing program with UWT students and detainees at the detention center.

Clouse explains the importance of beginning this correspondence with detained UW students.

“Everybody makes mistakes, and the current criminal justice system privileges certain groups over others,” Clouse said. “We want to spread awareness so that members — especially leaders — of society will focus on the strengths and rich life experiences of people rather than their deficits and mistakes.“

One of the group’s upcoming events is a baked goods giveaway Feb. 14 in the Cherry Parkes lobby from 12:30–4 p.m. Students and faculty can stop by for a free treat and more information about CARE and how to get involved.

CARE wants students to know that they can be as involved as they want with the club, in whatever amount best fits their schedule.

“The great thing about CARE is that you don’t need to come to a minimum number of meetings to maintain your status as a member,” Clouse said. “So feel free to be involved in whatever capacity feels best for you.”